Effect of Intravenous Hydrocortisone While Treating Children Under 5 Years of Age for Pneumonia

Abstract

Objective:To determine the effect of intravenous hydrocortisone while treating children younger than 5 years age for Pneumonia.Methods:A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Pediatricemergency department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, from November 2023 to October 2024. The study included 730 children aged 2 months to 5 years diagnosed with pneumonia based on clinical signs and symptoms. Patients with seizures, respiratory failure, severe malnutrition, loose stools, poisoning, or submersion were excluded. Data regarding demographics, vital signs, vaccination status, clinical history, diagnosis, intravenous hydrocortisone use, length of stay, outcome, and disposition were retrieved from the hospital electronic database and medical records.

Results:A total of 730 children aged 2 months to 5 years with clinically diagnosed pneumonia were included. Antibiotics were prescribed to 688 patients (94.2%), while 42 patients (5.8%) did not receive antibiotics. Intravenous hydrocortisone was prescribed to 591 patients (81.0%), whereas 139 patients (19.0%) did not receive hydrocortisone. Among children who received hydrocortisone, 44% were admitted, 27% were discharged home, 14% were DOR, 14% were referred, and 1% left against medical advice; among those not receiving hydrocortisone, discharge home was more common (41%) compared with admission (30%).

Conclusion:Overall, admission was more frequent among children prescribed hydrocortisone compared with those not prescribed hydrocortisones, whereas discharge home was more common among children who did not receive hydrocortisone.

Keywords: Pneumonia, Hydrocortisone, Children, Retrospective, Emergency Service